Lazio vs Roma
Fear and loathing in Rome as derby day approaches

The intense rivalry between football teams Roma and Lazio can be seen in graffiti reading "Death to Lazio's fans" in a small street in the Monti district of the Italian capital

(AFP)

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They share the same city, the same pizzas and the same football stadium but that's where the similarities end for the fans of Lazio and Roma.

The 'Derby della Capitale' is the most intense in Italy and while Sunday's clash at the Stadio Olimpico could have a direct impact on the sides' title hopes, for most it's a question of local pride.

"It's a rivalry that can give you pride for the whole year, keep the smile on your face and give you a chance to mock your rivals,"Giulio Lucarelli told AFP.

As the owner of the Core de Roma restaurant, situated opposite the building where Roma icon Francesco Totti grew up, Lucarelli should know what he's talking about.

But while he has "respect for the fans of Lazio", you won't see any sky blue -- the colours of the team nicknamed the 'biancocelesti' -- in his establishment.

Instead, burgundy-coloured football shirts bearing the names of Totti, (Daniele) De Rossi and (Alessandro) Florenzi deck the walls in a permanent tribute to the side which, for the past 25 years, has been carried along by the goalscoring exploits of one-club man Totti.

Roma's captain Francesco Totti, portrayed on a mural in Rome, is in his 25th and probably final season for the club

(AFP)

Totti, in his 25th and likely final season with Roma, is not even sure to start on Sunday when both sides will be looking to maintain their early season challenge to five-time consecutive champions Juventus.

Roma, the 'giallorossi' (Yellow and Reds) are more widely supported, but the 'biancocelesti' (Skyblues) Lazio are the capital's original club

(AFP)

At the Olimpico, Lazio's hardline fans occupy the Curva Nord (North End) while Roma's hardline 'tifosi' are in the Curva Sud (South End).

Tragically, that rivalry has spilled over: in 1979, Lazio supporter Vincenzo Paparelli was killed by a distress flare launched from Roma's Curva Sud.

Totti, and only Totti

When it comes to territory in the Italian capital, Roma have the edge.

The 'Giallorossi' (Yellow and Reds) are more widely supported, but Lazio is the capital's original club having been founded in 1900, 27 years before four local clubs came together to form Roma under the aegis of the ruling fascist party.

"We were founded first and that pisses them off," said Guido, a Lazio supporter, after buying his ticket for Sunday's game.

In what was effectively a snub to former dictator Benito Mussolini, Lazio resisted the fascist party's attempts to fuse them with the other clubs in the capital.

But although Lazio have historical longevity, Roma have Totti.

The club's reputation has been boosted immeasurably over the years by the 40-year-old icon affectionately known as the 'King of Rome'.

The moniker is not exaggerated. From the auto garages of Monte Testaccio to the ice cream shops and bars around Trastevere, photos and murals of Totti are everywhere.

Totti has racked up an unrivalled tally of 41 derbies, won 14, lost 15 and scored an as-yet unbeaten 11 derby goals in the process.

In some of those, Totti provoked fans of Lazio most: notably lifting his shirt to reveal a message that said, 'I've purged you again', after scoring in a 3-1 Lazio win in 1999.

For Giulio Lucarelli, Totti's "special celebrations" mean only one thing: "For me, Totti is the derby."

But as derby fever intensifies, the Roma legend didn't miss a chance to add fuel to the fire.

Totti said: "Everyone is free to choose the team they want. Some are just luckier than others, that's all."